Belfast man accused of raping girl, 13

Belfast — A 23-year-old Belfast man was arrested Monday, July 23, on sex abuse charges following a police investigation into an alleged incident involving the man and a 13-year-old girl.

Belfast Police Chief Mike McFadden said Robert Dawson, 23, of Belfast was arrested on charges of gross sexual assault and incest after police received a complaint from a relative.

McFadden said Belfast Detective Sgt. Bryan Cunningham interviewed the alleged victim, a 13-year-old girl, who disclosed details about the encounter she allegedly had with Dawson on May 31 of this year.

"The next step was Detective Cunningham went to Mr. Dawson and confronted him with these issues at his residence," said McFadden. "As a result of that conversation and the disclosure from the victim, Mr. Dawson was arrested and charged."

After the alleged victim spoke to police about the incident, McFadden said police discovered MySpace messages that appeared to be correspondence between the girl and Dawson.

"We found out that there were some suggestive communications, or correspondence, between the accused and the victim, which suggested more than just a typical relationship," said McFadden.

According to an official at the Waldo County Jail, Dawson has since been transferred to Two Bridges Regional Jail in Wiscasset, where he is being held on $2,000 cash bail or $10,000 surety.

Dawson is scheduled to appear at Waldo County Superior Court Thursday, Sept. 27.